Johnson’s ultimate challenge: Calling a soccer match

Fox Sports announcer Gus Johnson will call his first soccer match on Wednesday, Feb 13, in the ultimate test of whether the man who could hype a fire drill can resonate some excitement from the pitch.

Johnson, whose dramatic calls of NCAA Basketball Tournament games for CBS are legendary, will be on hand in Spain for a UEFA Champions League Round of 16 match between Manchester United and Real Madrid on Fox Soccer Channel. The game begins at 2 p.m.

Among the sports Johnson has called in his career are football, basketball, baseball and boxing.

“No doubt that the followers of this sport are among the most passionate, knowledgeable fans in the world, and I’m a newcomer,” Johnson said. “The effort to learn the sport and absorb its nuance has been a humbling experience. While I’ve put a lot of time into my preparation thus far, it’s definitely going to take a lot of reps before I’ve mastered soccer’s rhythm and pace, but I am determined to do so, and with all the support I’m receiving I have no doubt that I will.”

Since accepting the assignment, Johnson has tried to accelerate his soccer acumen, calling San Jose Earthquakes games on radio and playing pickup soccer games in a park near his Manhattan home.